dear imran,
CPA is recongnised in pakistan.The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Pakistan (ICPAP) has established close networking relationship with leading educational institutions and professional bodies across the world. The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Pakistan has reciprocal arrangements with Institute of Financial Consultants (IFC) Vancouver, Canada and Institute of Accounting Technician (IAT), Canada. Further, International Research Association, UK has allowed exemption in Level I and Level II of their LIFA support program to our qualified members.

Although chartered in USA and Canada, The Institute of Financial Consultants (IFC) and Institute of Accounting Technician (IAT), are International Professional Organizations with members throughout the world.

If you want further information don't hasitate to contact me.
regards,
Faizan

dear imran,
CPA is recongnised in pakistan.The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Pakistan (ICPAP) has established close networking relationship with leading educational institutions and professional bodies across the world. The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Pakistan has reciprocal arrangements with Institute of Financial Consultants (IFC) Vancouver, Canada and Institute of Accounting Technician (IAT), Canada. Further, International Research Association, UK has allowed exemption in Level I and Level II of their LIFA support program to our qualified members.

Although chartered in USA and Canada, The Institute of Financial Consultants (IFC) and Institute of Accounting Technician (IAT), are International Professional Organizations with members throughout the world.

dear imran,
CPA is recongnised in pakistan.The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Pakistan (ICPAP) has established close networking relationship with leading educational institutions and professional bodies across the world. The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Pakistan has reciprocal arrangements with Institute of Financial Consultants (IFC) Vancouver, Canada and Institute of Accounting Technician (IAT), Canada. Further, International Research Association, UK has allowed exemption in Level I and Level II of their LIFA support program to our qualified members.

Although chartered in USA and Canada, The Institute of Financial Consultants (IFC) and Institute of Accounting Technician (IAT), are International Professional Organizations with members throughout the world.

Sorry to spoil this for you, but none of the above institutes you mention above have any credibility . IFC gives (or atleast gave out) reciprocal membership to any one with a degree, and LIFA keeps sending me email on a regular basis exempting me of level 1 and 2, despite the fact that I have never applied to them (and every email says its my last time to avail this.)

None of the above are IFAC members/associate/affiliates

http//web.ifac.org/about/member-bodies

You'd expect atleast ICPAP and IAT to be associated with IFAC.

Let us know if ICPAP has any recognition with HEC or another regulator ?

dear pracs
i have already contancted the secretary general of ICPAP and there is a institute for CPA in Pakistan if you don't beleive then go to islamabad and see there office,w think you will satisfied.

I second to Pracs above post. I would not suggest to waste your time, money and energies on this ICPAP thing. New institutes are good, but don't be victim of unreputed organizations/ associations. Sorry, but Canadian and US associations you are naming, even have minimal recognition.

Its very important to understand that every association/institute that is linked with USA/ Canada, does not have much repute. There are many associations which only exist on paper or two rooms office.

Purpose of my post is just to save you guys from remorse later. Go for already tested education/association.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, san" id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by faizee</i>
<br />dear pracs
i have already contancted the secretary general of ICPAP and there is a institute for CPA in Pakistan if you don't beleive then go to islamabad and see there office,w think you will satisfied.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ofcourse they will have an office and may have a good course outline also, but unless they are recognised by an authority, its of no value. Just because they are connected to American or Canadian associations does not guarantee authenticity. Let, me give you an example, Punjab Uni is the oldest in Pakistan, some constituent colleges may have the lowest teaching standards and/or outdated syllabi but the degree is recognised (both in Pakistan and overseas) compared to say xyz business college (good campus, perhaps better syllabi and teachers but no recognition, ie HEC does not recognise it). Which one would you go for?

The suggestions given by Pracs and Tronto_boy are in fact of great importance.

There are almost 6 or 7 professional institutes/bodies in Pakistan. However, unlike ICAP and ICMAP all others are not that recognized and in my personal view carry no worth for the students to make a good career.

ICPAP is also an association not for profit registered as a company under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 and its qualification has not so far been recognised by HEC. Further, it has no representation at bodies like SAFA and IFAC. I, unfortunately, never saw a single person any where working with this CPA during my whole career and I, being in profession, believe this CPA requires much effort and time to bring some worth for its members AND off course this may come out to be merely a hope.

Imran, I may sound conservative here, but the question to be asked is if its not an IFAC member/associate its has got no worth whatsoever. Merely being recognised by a certain ministry does nothing for me atleast. If the HEC does not recognise it (or is not in the process of doing so) the qualification will not even have any academic standings !!

ICPAP though at the moment is a new one in pakistan by they have told me by mail that they are seeking IFAC membership and by the end of this year they will get it futhermore it offers other benifits as well like CFC (regd) membership CAT uk membership and CFA membership of ICFAP and stright through ICSP membership.ICPAP members are also exempted in CIA part4 exam nice things

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, san" id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by faizee</i>
<br />dear pracs
i have already contancted the secretary general of ICPAP and there is a institute for CPA in Pakistan if you don't beleive then go to islamabad and see there office,w think you will satisfied.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dear Sir,
as regard to CFC by IFC canada
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, san" id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Certified Financial Consultants can be drawn from a surprisingly wide range of professions, writes KS Lau

Another financial planning credential that can be attained in Hong Kong is that of Certified Financial Consultant (CFC). A relatively new designation for financial consultants and financial planners, it provides more flexibility and another choice for financial planning practitioners aspiring to earn a recognised qualification.

The designation of CFC is awarded by the Institute of Financial Consultants (IFC), a non-profit-making professional body based in Canada and the United States and registered with the National Certification Commission, USA. The institute is multidisciplinary, drawing its members from the related but separate fields of accountancy, insurance, law, funds management, tax and pensions.

The Institute of Financial Consultants - Hong Kong Branch (IFC-HK) is authorised by the IFC to advocate the CFC designation in Hong Kong. In addition, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)'s College of Lifelong Learning (CL3) offers a Diploma in Professional Financial Consulting. This new programme can be completed on an intensive, part-time basis over six months. Its integrated approach enables people interested in entering a personal financial consulting and planning career to learn about contemporary finance theories, personal financial planning techniques and investment management. Graduates are also eligible to take the CFC certification examination.

Membership structure

The IFC offers two types of membership regular and certified. Regular membership (MIFC) is provided for financial planning or consulting practitioners. The minimum entry requirements include a HKCEE certificate, over one year's practical experience in related fields and employment in a responsible financial consulting position. Apart from receiving a regular journal, regular members are entitled to use the designation MIFC.

Certified membership (CFC) is only attained by examination. In order to qualify, candidates must be full HKCEE certificate-holders. They must also possess a minimum of three years' financial consulting experience and hold a responsible position in the financial consulting industry. Finally, they must pass their certification examinations, consisting of two three-hour multiple-choice exams. The first requires the knowledge of financial statements' interpretation and analysis and practical corporate finance, while the second examines the candidate's preparedness in personal financial planning and consulting as well as investment and risk management.

Candidates do not need to pass both modules in one sitting and any pass can be retained as a credit. In addition, professionals with recognised designations are exempt from the first exam (Module 1). These include

K S Lau, MSc, MBA, FCCA, FCPA, CFE. An accountant by profession, Mr Lau is specialised in corporate governance and management development. He is also the co-author of Q&A Financial Planning Exams, a popular course book preparing students for financial planning examinations. For any enquiries regarding the article, you can contact Mr Lau on
E-mail academia@newsgroup.com.hk